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Talent, scene, impact, and innovation. Four distinct pillars that form the foundation of Saudi Arabia’s rapidly evolving music ecosystem are brought together under one stage for the inaugural Riyadh Music Week 2025. Set in the heart of the Kingdom, RMW25 unfolds from December 4th to 13th, marking a moment that unites community, culture, and creativity while bridging local and global talent on an unprecedented scale.
Announced by the Music Commission, one of the Ministry of Culture’s 11 sector-specific commissions, RMW25 is hosted in partnership with MDLBEAST and the Saudi Research and Media Group (SRMG). This collaborative foundation positions the week as a powerful catalyst for the next chapter of Saudi Arabia’s music industry, one defined by inclusivity, collaborative exchange, and future-focused development. Riyadh’s heritage sites, art districts, cafés, studios, cultural centers, and hotels will come alive with programs ranging from performances, conferences, creative community activations, and encounters designed to elevate the shared experience of music. From intimate showcases spotlighting rising musicians to city-scale gatherings that bring together leaders, educators, and global innovators, cementing Riyadh as a leading hub for the Middle East’s rapidly growing creative economy.
The programming goes far beyond the structure of a traditional music festival. RMW25 integrates innovation and education at every layer, presenting a dynamic mix of panel discussions, policy and education forums, music-tech showcases, hands-on workshops, networking sessions, and cross-sector innovation labs. These elements collectively reinforce Riyadh’s growing reputation as a leading hub for the Middle East’s creative economy, a place where music, technology, entrepreneurship, and culture can converge.
RMW25 opens with a powerful series of international summit programs, featuring the International Music Managers Forum, the Music Makers Summit, and XP Music Futures, alongside open-call “Fringe” events. MDLBEAST’s flagship conference and XP’s robust schedule of panel discussions, workshops, and live performances set the tone for the opening days of December 4th to 6th, a concentrated period dedicated to exploring the future of music in the MENA region, strengthening networks, and driving global collaboration.
The Fringe program, running from December 7th to 10th, extends this energy across Riyadh’s most beloved cultural quarters. Partnering with leading creative communities such as URX (Underrated X), MDLBEAST Records, The Fridge, Merwas, Bohemia Records, and The Warehouse, Fringe transforms JAX District, Riyadh Park, Al Diriyah, and more into vibrant hubs of experimentation, local expression, and grassroots storytelling. Each venue hosts curated nights that reflect the city’s diverse sonic identity, ensuring that music reaches audiences wherever they are.
The week then builds toward its crescendo (pun intended). From December 11th to 13th, RMW25 ends with Soundstorm, the region’s largest and most groundbreaking music festival. Spanning three days, Soundstorm has become a cultural force in its own right. A monumental gathering that brings global superstars and homegrown talent onto one electrifying stage. Previous editions have featured chart-topping names such as Post Malone, Calvin Harris, and Benson Boone, performing alongside both established and emerging Saudi artists. This powerful blend of global talent and local creativity positions Soundstorm as a defining moment in closing Riyadh Music Week with an unforgettable surge of energy, expression, and collective celebration.
“Riyadh Music Week 2025 is our invitation to the world to experience the vibrant pulse of Saudi Arabia’s music landscape,” said Paul Pacifico, CEO of the Music Commission. “This platform is where global and local voices meet, from artists and producers to educators and policymakers. It embodies the spirit of cultural exchange and shared creativity that defines today’s global music scene. We welcome everyone; from schools and universities to artists, labels, and entrepreneurs, to join us in shaping a future where music connects us all.”
At its core, Riyadh Music Week 2025 fosters a platform designed to nurture new opportunities while advancing essential conversations around policy, education, and infrastructure that define the future of a sustainable music industry. It expands community participation through accessible, music-driven experiences that strengthen social connections and celebrate the city’s cultural fabric.
By providing space for emerging Saudi talent, amplifying diverse artistic voices, and fostering cross-sector collaboration, RMW25 lays the groundwork for long-term career pathways and industry growth for creatives across the Kingdom. The week reinforces the Music Commission’s commitment to empowering the sector by driving skills development, supporting year-round creative production, strengthening industry capabilities, and building a music ecosystem that invites global exchange while remaining deeply rooted in Saudi culture.
Riyadh Music Week cements Saudi as a regional and global destination for music, culture, and innovation. A country shaped by creativity, powered by community, and ready to reshape the music industry across the MENA region.
